VivantAdmin, Author at 'Burgh Vivant

July 5, 2015July 6, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (7/8 – 7/11)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of July 8 to July 11

Hit the Silk!

You can walk down the red carpet at a movie premiere this weekend at Silk Screen’s Asian Arts and Cultural Organization’s Red Carpet Gala. Celebrate their tenth anniversary of Asian American film, dance, art and music. The Red Carpet Gala is July 9 at 6:00 at the A.J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology, Carlow University, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, go here. For details on the rest of the fest, go here.

Crawl to Daddy

The monthly Gallery Crawl is back downtown. Pittsburgh is full of Art, Music, Dance, Architecture, Comedy and Film. Experience them on Friday night between 5:30 and 9:00 pm at the quarterly Gallery Crawl. The event is free and open to the public. So check out all the participating venues and see what Pittsburgh has to offer! For more information, go here.

Cosmo!

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s 9th annual Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh fundraiser is happening this Friday, July 10. Following the Gallery Crawl around the Cultural District, run away with the circus and indulge in astounding performances, music, activities, and a wondrous dance party. Savor signature beverages and delicious treats, while enjoying a fabulous night on the town! Hit the VIP party from 7:00 – 9:00 pm or dance to DJ Pandemic for the Main Event. It’s at the African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to here.

Elementary, My dear Watson!

A mystery is afoot! And Sherlock Holmes is back on the case. Will it be his last? It may, since the play is called, “Sherlock’s Last Case.” It’s a spoof on the beloved characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. David Whalen is, once again, playing the iconic detective. It opens, Friday, July 10. You don’t have to go to all the way to 221 B Baker Street, just go to the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. For more information, go here.

Fill ‘er up!

On the eve of his birthday, Nat Paradis’ old high school flame returns for her mother’s funeral and walks into the convenience store Nat and his dad run in rural Northern Maine in “Last Gas.” John Cariani’s comedy can be found at the Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317. For more information, go here.

June 29, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (7/2- 7/5)

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh July 3^rd – 5^th.

Swinging

A Hollywood star and her ‘gal pals’ are going overseas to entertain the troops with a 1944 USO show in “Swingtime Canteen.” I have a sneaking suspicion we will hear about a bugle boy who likes to Boogie Woogie. I’m giving you your marching orders; proceed to South Park Theatre, Corrigan Drive and Brownsville Road, Bethel Park, PA 15129. Playing July 2^nd – 18^th (no show July 4^th). For more information, go to https://sites.google.com/a/southparktheatre.com/south-park-theatre/what-s-new/makinggodlaugh

Take 2

On Friday, July 3 you can hear a selection of Broadway’s greatest duets when the Comtra Theater presnts “It Takes 2.” You’ll hear songs from “Guys and Dolls,” “Miss Siagon,” “Rent,” “Spamalot,” and more.

It’s going down at the Comtra Theater, 20540 Route 19, Cranberry, PA 16066.

For more information, go to http://www.comtratheatre.org/

Sidewall

No stone goes unturned in “Sidewall: A mural project’s first annual group show.” Mural artists celebrate their body of work on their big non-canvas. There’s an opening reception, July 3, at 7 PM at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, 5006 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15224. For more information, go to http://irmafreeman.org/

Stardates

Set your phasers on funny, because the “U.S.S. Improv” is trekking to the Maker Theater on stardate; Friday, July 3. See improvisational comedy with a sci-fi twist. It’s at the Maker Theater, 5950 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. For more information, go to http://www.themakertheater.com/

Fireworks!
Of course, this weekend’s biggest event is all about the U. S. of A! Celebrate the Fourth of July at Point State Park as fireworks light up Pittsburgh’s sky. Watch from your favorite spot along Mt. Washington, or get to the Point, Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. The event is free! For more information, go to

http://fireworksinpennsylvania.com/events/pittsburgh-fireworks/

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June 24, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (6/25 – 6/28)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are your Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of June 25 through June 28.

Light the Fuse

You probably never imagined you’d ever hear a mash up of Brahms’ First Symphony and Radiohead’s OK Computer, but the songs from the latter are intricately woven into the former, fusing together a never-before-heard “hybrid” sound that is at once classical and contemporary at Fuse@PSO. Also on the program are a mash-up of Brahms’ Tragic Overture and Radiohead’s “Street Spirit” (from “The Bends”) and a virtuosic orchestral fantasy based on Radiohead’s “Idioteque” (from Kid A). You can find these mash ups June 24 at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/production/44752/fuse-at-pso-brahms-plus-radiohead

Barrelhouse of Laughs

Pittsburgh has a thriving comedy scene. If you’re curious about all things comedy in Pittsburgh, then you need to check out the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Open House on Thursday June 25. Enjoy short sets from local improv and stand-up acts, join in grown-up-friendly games lead by City of Play, and indulge in fantastic cocktails from Wigle Whiskey’s award-winning distillery. It’s at the Wigle Whiskey Garden, 1055 Spring Garden Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information and tickets, go to http://pittsburghcomedyfestival.org/comedy-open-house/

Pittsburgh in Hollywood

Thursday, June 25 is the Steeltown Film Factory Community Showcase. See locally produced short films like “Zombie Woman,” “Paper Umbrellas,” “Woman in a Blue Gown,” “Always a Bridesmaid,” and more! Meet them all before they become all Hollywood. It’s at the Hollywood Theater, 1449 Potomac Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. It’s a free event, but registration is required. Register here: http://www.steeltown.org/events/steeltown-film-factory-community-showcase-screening

Lucky

You’re in luck, you have two more weekends to catch, Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” It’s the story of charismatic and controversial tabloid columnist Mike McAlary and dramatizes his meteoric rise from a newspaper cub reporter to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.” You can find the “Lucky Guy” at the Little Lake Theater, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Brewing up Trouble

When Roxette brings her new girlfriend home and calls all of her sisters together, old grievances flare setting into motion an impossible moral struggle in Scott T. Barsotti’s play, “Brewed.” The play opens June 26 at Off the Wall Theater, 25 East Main Street, Carnegie. For more information, go to www.nonameplayers.org

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June 16, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (6/18 – 6/21)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of June 18 to 21. This week it’s all about your summer reading list and the ladies.

Books n’at

Thursday, June 9^th is the official launch party for “Three Little Pittsburghers” It’s the lonawited illustrated book about three cute, cuddly Pigsburgers. Yinz oughta go aht n’ nat. Author and illustrator Joe Wos will be on hand to autograph your book. It’s all at Little E’s Jazz Club, 949 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-three-little-pigsburghers-book-launch-party-tickets-17016018369

More Books n’at

Want to know how to write an award winning mystery? Ask a few local authors like Annette Dashofy, Mary Sutton, Tamara Girardi, and Jeff Boarts. The area authors will discuss their writing journey from blank page to published author. It’s Thursday at 6:00 pm the Oakmont branch of the Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, PA 15139. For more information, click here: http://www.oakmontlibrary.org/

Hot as an oven

It was a novel, then a movie and now it’s a play. Thomas Bell’s novel “Out of This Furnace” comes back to Pittsburgh, but now it’s on the stage. The triumphantly human story of heart, sweat and steel. Three generations of the Kracha/Dobrecjak clan struggle to build a life in the shadow of Carnegie’s first mill. A dramatic adaptation of Thomas Bell’s intimate tale of immigrants, labor and the rise of unions in Braddock, PA. You can find the furnace at the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information go to http://unseamd.com/

Ciao Bellas!

The sitcom is not dead. It’s alive and well and living in Pittsburgh. Come out and see “The Sisters Sorella.” The story of three very different sisters sharing their apartment and lives together. This month’s episode is packed with special guest stars. Check it out at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go visit the sisters here; http://www.nonameplayers.org/index.php/2015-season/the-sisters-sorella

Woman and camera

The Carnegie Museum of Art introduces the pioneering work of 12 leading women photographers who have tackled the very notion of representation with passion and power, questioning tradition and challenging perceptions of Middle Eastern identity in “She Who Tells a Story.” Their provocative work ranges from fine art to photojournalism and provides insights into political and social issues, including questions of personal identity and the complex political and social landscapes of their home regions in images of great sophistication, expressiveness, and beauty. You can find all this and more at the Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.For more information, go to http://www.cmoa.org/ExhibitionDetail.aspx?id=24483

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June 9, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (6/11 – 6/14)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here’s the Top Five Fun things to do in Pittsburgh June 11 through June 14

Get to the Point

You still have plenty of time to enjoy the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. And there’s plenty to do with dance, art, music, and spoken word performances. Check out the Juried Visual Arts Exhibit, a panel discussion on “Race, Gender and the Power of Language in Hip Hop,” Dreams of Hope, Jasiri X, Family Hip Hop Yoga: Super Hero Sessions, The Commonheart, the Nox Bosy, Phat Man Dee, Bridgette Perdue and much, much more. Get the low down and download a PDF of the complete schedule here: http://www.3riversartsfest.org/fest_events/?fest_genre=music

Widow’s Peak

Here’s a romantic comedy about four widows in Samm-Art Williams’ “The Dance On Widow’s Row.” You can find these merry widows at the Carnegie Library, Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Homewood. For more information go to http://www.newhorizontheater.org/

It’s Everything

This is the last weekend to catch “The Best of Everything,” an adaptation of Rona Jaffe’s 1958 bestseller about ambitious secretaries in the big city. Find “Everything” at the Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA. For more information, got to http://www.littlelake.org/

It’s Number One

Hear Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major along with music from Fletcher and Liszt at Friday June 12 Mahler’s “Titan” Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information go to http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/pso_home#

Prideful things

It’s Pittsburgh Pride and there are a literal slew of LGBTQ activities going on around Pittsburgh. You can march in the parade, celebrate the alternative pride event Roots Pride, or watch a lot of comedy at the Arcade Comedy Theater. On Friday at 10 pm it’s the Gayme Show Night with outlandish games and prizes. On Saturday there is a sold-out event Golden Girls Live (with men in the roles of Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sofia). There’s also the Hootenanny with guest monologist Connor McCanlus at 8:00. At ten on Saturday there’s the ArGAYde Comedy show with drag stand up Niko Alexander, Pegusluts and LGBTQ*Bert, Pittsburgh’s own all LGBT improv troupe. It’s all at 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://arcadecomedytheater.com/

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June 9, 2015June 9, 2015

Review: BUYER AND CELLAR, Pittsburgh Public Theater

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

One man shows are notoriously difficult. There are very few one man shows that are captivating and engaging. “Buyer and Cellar” comes close to hitting the high mark; set astonishingly high in the very same theatrical space by Teagle F. Bougere in last year’s “An Iliad.”

The success of “Buyer and Cellar” is mostly due to its star, Tom Lenk (finally overcoming his pigeonholed status as the ne’er-do-well-nerd-seeking-redemption on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). In “Buyer,” Lenk plays a myriad of characters amazingly well. Say goodbye Andrew and hello Alex.

WATCH/LISTEN: ‘Burgh Vivant’s interview with Tom Lenk, Actor.

Tom Lenk pays homage to Streisand’s “Passion for Design” in BUYER AND CELLAR. Photo: Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Playwright Jonathan Tollins takes an already preposterous premise; the astonishingly true life tale of Barbra Streisand’s cavernous basement that contains a movie set mall to store all of her precious mementos, annotated from her book, “My Passion for Design.” Then, Tollins adds a new level of insanity by wondering, “What if someone worked in that basement mall?”

Enter Alex, our beleaguered protagonist, the main face of Lenk’s repertoire of characters. For the record, Lenk also portrays his own agent, the dude that gets him the gig; a cantankerous caretaker and major domo, Sharon (sounding suspiciously like Leslie Jordan in his own one man show, “My Trip Down the Pink Carpet”); Alex’s boyfriend Barry, a neurotic screenwriter (is there any other kind?); squinty yet masculine Mr. Streisand, James Brolin (from a million movies and TV shows, most notably “Marcus Welby, M.D.”) and the woman who put the ego in EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner), Barbra Streisand herself. Lenk is a whirling dervish in denim and blue cardigan on a baby powder white stage, sparsely set by Michael Schweikardt (there’s a table, chair, chaise and the only other star of the show, the eponymous tome penned by Streisand, “My Passion for Design”).

Tom Lenk, BUYER AND CELLAR. Photo: Pittsburgh Public Theater.

The show gets absurd when Alex must wait on his one and only customer in the aforementioned mall. In the story, and most likely in real life, Streisand is a complex character. Lenk doesn’t seek to mimic or impersonate, but he does capture Barbra’s essence. There are a few moments of this play where you forget you’re watching just one man having multiple schizophrenic conversations with himself and start to believe the room is full of people.

There is the prerequisite poignant moment, all one man shows have them (it must be in the Big Book of Theater Rules somewhere), but the show is hilariously funny, especially when Lenk is fully committed to his characters (there are a few shaky moments when he peters out, but they are easily ignored).

Don Stephenson coaxes nuanced performances (yes, plural) out of Lenk. It’s a masterful job by both director and actor. The role was originally performed by Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty”) in the Barrow Street Theater Off Broadway, but, after seeing Lenk, it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

There’s really only one flaw. One that rests squarely on the playwright. It is overlong for a comedy. Thirty minutes of the show could be trimmed off and it would be absolutely brilliant. There is a prologue that could easily be jettisoned, it over explains the oncoming action and deflates some of the humor, but watching Lenk transform himself from character to character is worth the extra time in the seat.

“Buyer and Cellar” runs through June 28 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

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June 2, 2015June 3, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (6/4 – 6/7)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of June 4 through June 7. Food, funny women and art are on this week’s list.

Dining Out

Veteran improvisers Kristy Nolen and Jethro Nolen and their special guests, craft original scenes and invent memorable characters from your suggestions in their long-form show, “Dinner with the Nolens.” The show is celebrating its second anniversary with the real-life married couple who have performed in Chicago, Amsterdam, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Dallas and Austin. On June 6, the Nolen’s will welcome their guests Iguanatron to dinner. It’s fine comedy dining at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://arcadecomedytheater.com/

Food! Glorious Food!

Thursday, June 4 you can go to an extraordinary evening with fabulous food and wine pairings at The Art of Food. There will be art, entertainment and more. The festivities will benefit The Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. There will also be a non-perishable food item drive. It’s at the Squirrel Hill Center for Rehabilition and Healing, 2025 Wightman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. For more information, please call (412) 421-8443, or go to http://squirrelhillrehab.com/news-events/upcoming-events/

Helena Handbasket

John McIntire takes his “Dangerously Live Comedy/Talk Show” to the Oaks with special guests WQEDs own Rick Sebak, cartoonist Rob Rogers, and James Rich, best known for his Pittsburgh Taco Truck. It’s on at The Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, PA 15139. For more information, go to https://www.showclix.com/event/JohnMcIntireShow6462479

Funny Ladies

Who runs the world? Girls! Come out to “Girls Only, the Secret Comedy of Women.” Julianne Avolio, and Sara Williams perform a mix of sketch, improvisation, audience participation and videos from creators Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein. It runs through August 16 at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, visit pittsburghCLO.org.

Wake me up before you Go Gogh!

The Carnegie Museum of Art is displaying Vincent Van Gogh’s “Still Life, Basket of Apples” (1887) visiting from the Saint Louis Art Museum alongside pieces from the Carnegie Museum’s collection: “Le Moulin de la Galette” (1886–1887), “Wheat Fields after the Rain” (1890), & Paul Signac’s “Place des Lices, St. Tropez,” through July 6. Check it out at the Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information go to http://www.cmoa.org.

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May 27, 2015

MAD MEN meets mayhem: Little Lake Theatre Company presents THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

MCMURRAY, PA, – Little Lake Theatre Company announces that The Best of Everything, based on Rona Jaffe’s novel of the same name, will officially kick-off its run on May 28th as the second installment in Little Lake’s 67th season. The production also officially marks Roxy MtJoy’s directorial debut after taking the helm as Artistic Director at Little Lake Theatre.

“This is a great play to officially launch my Little Lake directing career,” said Roxy MtJoy. “It’s set in Manhattan and centers on the ‘many goings on’ in a 50’s-era secretarial pool at a publishing company. It’s reminiscent of ‘Mad Men’ but funnier – it’s light and frothy but with some serious bite, so it has a little bit of everything for our audiences.”

The Best of Everything follows the women of Fabian Publishing as they navigate career ambitions and romantic adventures. And MtJoy teases, Little Lake patrons should pay particular attention to the men at the Christmas office party. They’re kind of stiff. Sure, they’re tall, dark and handsome; but they’re so much alike that they could have rolled off an assembly line. They may as well be made of cardboard.

MtJoy’s wants Little Lake’s audiences to feel as if they’ve transported back to the early 1950s – from the women’s hairstyles to the music, complete with the politics (both office and sexual) that harken back to a half-century ago. But it’s not all serious – as Little Lake Theatre invites patrons to join them before each performance when doors open at 6:30 for a 50’s-style Cocktail Party, featuring some of the same Gin- and Scotch-based cocktails and desserts that the characters will partake in throughout the play. A mixologist was consulted to help recreate the cocktails from this era. Patrons are advised that there will be no intermission during this play; it runs for approximately 90 minutes.

The cast that brings these women and men to life features six newcomer actors to the Little Lake stage:

Jane Joseph as Caroline Bender
Mary Brodland as April Morrison
Hollie Kawecki as Amanda Farrow
Rebeka Hukill as Brenda
Teresa Harrold as Mary Agnes
Vincent Marshall as Mike Rice/Mr. Shalimar/Ronnie Wood/David Wilder Sagage

In addition to the six newcomers, there are two veteran Little Lake actors cast in The Best of Everything, including Jason Dille in the role of Eddie Harris; and Lindsey Bowes as Gregg Adams.

The Best of Everything runs May 28-30; June 4-7; and June 11-13. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.littlelake.org/box-office/ or by phone at 724-745-6300.

Little Lake Theatre Company, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was founded in 1949 by Will Disney. Its mission is dedicated to presenting a thoughtful, well-balanced offering of plays appealing to an audience of mixed social, economic, educational, and generational levels; providing comprehensive training and hands-on experience in theater arts to emerging, as well as experienced actors, designers, and technicians; involving the community in outreach programs designed to provide accessibility and to encourage appreciation of live theater.

May 27, 2015

Saints preserved!: Bricolage SAINTS TOUR is a tour de force

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

The Saints have marched in, staked their claim in Braddock, and are ready to show you a mystical, magical world that takes place right here, right now, around us, among us, in “The Saints Tour,” an immersive theatrical journey through deserted industrial spaces, burgeoning gardens and decaying cemeteries.

Since we first learned to communicate, humans gathered together around the fire, in the cave, and in sacred oak groves to tell and hear stories. It’s an ancient communal ritual. In Braddock, the Tour Guide (Bria Walker) spins Homeric yarns about the people in the blighted-but-rebuilding neighborhood.

Bria Walker as The Tour Guide. Photo by Tami Dixon.

This time, humans gathered outside a desolate dog park, the Tour Guide marches in, bedecked in a black dress, a delicate silk scarf in vivid earth tones swirled around her head and shoulders. After a short introduction, the audience follows her down Braddock Avenue, and the extraordinary expedition begins.

The Tour Guide leads her charges through the New Guild Art & Design Studio; the shop is laden with beautiful glasswork and the stunning, saintly iconography. The group exits through the rear of the building. Fifty or so people are directed to a yellow school bus.

On the bus, the Tour Guide is a tigress, hunching down, ready to pounce, listening to an imperceptible, ephemeral, unseen thing; translating the language of saints.

Playwright, Molly Rice in front of US Steel building — Saints Tour playwright Molly Rice in front of the US Steel building, Braddock. Photo by Tami Dixon.

There are many weird and wonderful stops along the way on the tour. At one point, the bus snakes through the serpentine pathways of the Monongahela Cemetery, a gnarled passageway rising upward to the highest point of the hilltop, past crooked markers of the dead. The view from the top of the cemetery is spectacular. The tourists looked down at the tiny, disfigured community below, an urban diamond in the rough. In the distance, the purple flame from an impossibly tall smoke stack burned bright. On the top of another hill, the bright lights of Kennywood Park sparkled in the distance. An aerial silk performer dances on the limb of a tree; she writhes and contorts on a bolt of orange fabric.

The best part of the tour was when the stoic Tour Guide gently dispenses humor. Most of the audience/tourists couldn’t see past the veneer, but a small, plucky group of us snickered on the back of the bus, especially when the Tour Guide told the crowd to look right and then left, as if she was instructing them to swivel their heads for the first time in their lives.
There are some excellent stops along the way. On one particular bright spot, TeaAjah Cannon asked the tourists to dig in the dirt for trinkets, talismans of the Braddock Saints. Cannon is adorable with her dark skin and bright green hair. She is ebullient, effervescent, a joy to be in her company. It was stunning to discover she was only a sophomore at Propel Andrew Street High School.

The play theatrical experience is a massive undertaking for Bricolage and Real/Time Interventions, involving local artists such as Vanessa German, Lindsey Scherloum, David Pohl, James Simon, and Zena Ruiz. Playwright Molly Rice makes artful use of her surroundings. Rice’s tale is mystical, magical, but peppered with small moments of hilarity.

TaeAjah Cannon, Saints Tour performer. Photo by Tami Dixon.

“The Saints Tour” is a tour de force, and a multitude of hands brought this project to life, but the success of this show lays squarely on Walker. She is electric, engaging, exciting. It’s difficult to even imagine anyone else in the role. She commands the bus with a paradoxical booming voice and quiet dignity. Near the end of the tour, she tells the tragic story of one young man and almost brought the audience/tourists to tears.

Bravo and brava to Artistic Director Jeffrey Carpenter and Producing Artistic Director Tami Dixon for shining a bright, heavenly light on Braddock.
“The Saints Tour” runs Wednesday through Sunday through June 13. For directions, additional information and more, go to http://www.bricolagepgh.org/events/saints-tour-0

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May 26, 2015

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (5/28 – 5/30)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend. May 28 to May 30.

Avengers Assemble

While Age of Ultron is all the rage at the movie theater, the Toonseum is having an Avengers exhibit. At the opening night party, Saturday, May 30^th you can meet exhibit curator Stuart Neft who has assembled 40 pieces of original comics art featuring the Avengers including a page from the very first issue in 1963. See what the team has looked like through the years as drawn by such luminary artists: Jack Kirby, John and Sal Buscema, George Perez, John Byrne, Jim Starlin, Jim Lee and many more. Assemble at the ToonSeum, 945 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.toonseum.org/

Buyer Beware

Barbra Streisand’s coffee table book, My Passion for Design, inspired a hilarious fictional account of what goes on in her Malibu estates’s basement in “Buyer & Cellar.” Tom Lenk brings Bab’s basement to live at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to www.ppt.org

Half Time

PICT Classic Theatre returns to its home at the Charity Randall (after a brief stint downtown) with Alan Ayckbourn’s “How the Other Half Lives.” It’s a comedy about three couples who have arrived a bit too late to the sexual revolution. It’s at the Charity Randall Theatre, inside the Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, go to http://www.picttheatre.org

One Night Strand

The Strand Theater presents the “One Night Only Comedy & Variety Festival,” Featuring Unique and World-Class Internationally Touring Performers, as seen on America’s Got Talent, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central and stages around the globe. Head to the Strand Theater 119 N Main St, Zelienople, PA 16063 on May 29 at 8:00 pm. For more information and tickets, go to https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9979234

Donora in Lawrenceville

Donora is a small community outside of Pittsburgh, it’s also the name of a local band and you can see them at the Thunderbird Café in Lawrenceville. They will be performing with Dream Phone and the Nox Boys on Friday, May 29 at the Thunderbird Café, 4023 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, and to listen to tracks from their album, “Ha Ha Heart,” go to http://www.thunderbirdcafe.net/showdetails.php?eventID=1454

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